Energy Wasted

So many people see my kids and comment something like, "Boy, I wish I had that much energy!"  It's not because they are bad or can't stop moving, but because they obviously could play all day and never get tired.  I've decided that not only do I want their energy, but that they energy they have is wasted. 

Lexi goes to gym for 3 hours after a 7 hour school day and comes home and wants to swing, do flips on the couch, and chase her brother.  Jack just runs and runs and laughs and laughs - nonstop.  I struggle to get my run in between picking up Jack and going to get Lexi from gym.  I struggle to make myself go upstairs and workout after the kids go to bed.  I feel like taking a sick day from work many mornings just trying to drag myself out of bed.  I wonder how in the world I can keep up with my kids.  They go to bed and all that left-over energy is just wasted.  Unfortunately, I'm the opposite.  I have no energy left to waste.  In fact, sometimes I wonder if it's possible to be too tired to fall asleep!

It's not a complaint, just a fact of life.  All moms feel this way, I'm sure.  With my job, I stand in awe of many of my parents dealing with things I can't even fathom and I wonder how they survive.  My mom has commented to me that I have unending energy (as she watches me try to keep up just with the daily routine).  Perhaps it's only as we get older or when we look at the lives of others that we can appreciate how much energy we "used to have."  If only there were a way to bottle it up and save it for a rainy day.  Since that is impossible, I'll just enjoy watching them run in circles and hope that, on occasion, they don't need me to join in!

It's the Little Things

So, today was one of those days.  You know the ones that make you want to just go home and crawl back into bed?  When I got to the sitter's to pick up the kids, I got ready for my run  (I usually run before I leave with them because it's too dark by the time we get home).  I ended up taking Jack with me in the stroller.  I got out a lot of energy and he was great!  Once we got home, Eric had to work late so I had them to myself.  Lexi did her homework with no complaints, set the table, and fixed the drinks.  Jack played contentedly with his trains while I cooked.  Then, even more awesome, they both cleaned their plates (well bowls...turkey chili)!  No whining, no fighting; in fact, Jack ate most of his with no help!  So, even though days may not start off as the best ever, it really is the little things that I get to come home to that make everything all better.  Love my family!

First Lost Tooth

So, after much anticipation and many friends going before her, at age 6 years and almost 6 months, Lexi has lost her first tooth.  I'll let her tell the story herself, but note that she really did pull it out herself!  I've also posted a few pictures in an album on the right side of the blog.  Excitement in the Taylor house tonight!

A Sister Named Rose

So, car conversations prove to be really entertaining and, often, enlightening.  This morning, Lexi opened with, "Mom, what would happen if a mommy and daddy wanted a little girl named Rose, but instead got a boy named Jack?"  I responded, "Well, I guess they would be happy to have a Jack.  Mommies and Daddies don't care if they have a boy or a girl.  They are just happy to have a baby."  Lexi replies, "I understand.  I really wanted a sister named Rose, but instead, I got a brother named Jack.  I wasn't really happy at first, but now I like him and want to keep him"

Really?!  He's been here over 2 years and you are just now deciding he's ok to keep?  Also, has she been holding onto this disappointment all this time?  I've never heard of it.  In fact, the whole pregnancy, she seemed excited about a brother because he wouldn't want to bother her girl toys.  So...what?!

She ended the conversation with this tidbit - "Mommy, I think when I have kids, I'll do a switch-a-roo."  Me - "What?"  Lexi - "Well, I always wished I had an older brother to take care of me, so I'll have a boy first and then a girl.  You know, switch what you did with me and Jack.  That way my little girl will have an older brother."

Just in case any of you are wondering, I did not choose this moment to inform her that she has absolutely no control over whether she has a girl or a boy.  I chose this moment to encourage her to turn on her TV.  I needed a break...

A nail and a thumb

So, my dad and Eric are building the kids a playhouse.  All has been going great.  At 5:15 tonight, Eric comes running through the house. "Beth, where are you?  Beth!"  Once he found me...what's the problem?  "Your dad put a nail through his thumb!  What do I do?"  "Uh, take him to the hospital."  So off they went.  I joined them a little while later with his meds he can't miss for another ailment he's fighting.  He was a trooper and remained his goofy self through it all.  Here are the "tools" they brought into take it out. 










I mean, really, would you smile like this in this situation?

And what's next?  Well, tomorrow, Dad will be dictating to Eric what to do to continue the playhouse.  Because, really, shooting a nail through your thumb is not nearly enough to call in sick to work!

It's Natural!

OK - It's true, my hair is naturally curly.  I know it comes as no surprise to most of you, but I would be a millionaire if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that.  Then I get the, "Oh you're so lucky" speech.  Seriously?  Lucky?  Once I get out of the shower, I can't comb my hair for the rest of the day.  It looks the same every day.  No short hair cut looks good and gross amounts of product are required to keep it from looking like a lion's mane.  If I want to wear it straight, I have to spend 2.5 hours doing it and then one drop of water ruins it (seriously, it curled up after Lexi cried on my shoulder one night).  So, still think I'm lucky?  Unfortunately, I seemed to have passed the curly gene on...to Jack.  Now it's cute...later...not so sure.  Either way, one day I imagine he'll feel like venting about his "natural curl" as well!

Gym Boys

Just a quick peek at the life of the "gym brothers."  

Snacks at Church?

Lexi was recently asked to name her favorite part of church.  She replied, "The part when we get to eat snacks."  I asked, "Do you get snack in children's church?"  Her answer, "No Mom!  You know, the part where we get that cracker (aka bread) dipped in that juice (aka wine)."
Now, I know that this may seem like I haven't done a very good job of explaining communion to my 6-year-old, but really, honestly, how deep can she get.

We've told her about it, tried to explain it, but the deep meaning is lost on her right now.  Add to that the fact that communion is usually associated with Easter and you've really lost her.  She's already decided that Christmas is far better than Easter because she would rather talk about Jesus being born than dying.  I know - it's really happy because He lives again, but to her, the dying part is just too much to take.

So, will I continue to teach my child about communion and know that one day she'll get it?  Of course!  But, until then, I'll just enjoy hearing her say, "Jesus is in my heart," and I'll also enjoy thinking of her "snacking with God."

Home Alone

So, somehow, we have no kids today.  They are both off with the grandparents (who for some reason just love to take them off our hands :)).  Yesterday, as we were driving to meet my dad, Eric and I couldn't decide what to do today.  What do we do with no kids?  So, as of 12:30 today, I have:
- run 7 miles
- cleaned out the secretary desk, drilled a hole in it, and mounted all of the charging plugs to get them out of signt
- organized and cleaned the attic
After lunch, I will:
- take a shower
- grocery shop
- pick up a slide
- shop for some stuff for the kids
So, I'm wondering, is it really less work when the kids are gone?  Why can't I just relax?!


By the way, if the kids were here, this is what we would be doing instead of everything above!

Like Grandfather - Like Grandson

So, a Jack post.  This will be short, but of course, sweet :).  Jack is a kind soul, very laid back and always giving out hugs and kisses.  He loves his "sissy" and wants nothing more than to read books.  Well, that's a lie - books are his second favorite.  His favorite thing to do...trains.  Not just play with trains...no, watch them, roll them, talk about them, read about them, even ride them.  I honestly never experienced anything like it.  I was always around girls so I didn't really know much about trains.  Well, we know all about them now.  We know about Thomas.  We have every book.  We know how to put train tracks together, how to build bridges, and how to find videos of trains just riding around - which he could watch for hours. 

So, what's the point, you ask?  Well, it's just interesting to me.  My dad, Jack's Papa, is a train fanatic himself.  I think when he's here, he enjoys playing just as much as Jack.  This past weekend, watching the train movie where they just ride around mountains, he spent the whole video telling Eric how they number the trains, how many wheels they have, what the cars are called, etc.  It's ridiculous.  What's worse is that we never really did much with trains with Jack.  From experience 1, he was hooked.  Like it was in his genes.  I mean, I knew you passed on eye color, hair color, and height, but a love of trains?  Of course, this daughter can only hope that a love of trains isn't the only trait Jack inherits from his Papa :)!  So, this weekend, when Papa takes Jack to his first model train show, there will be two boys floating on air and thinking they are in heaven!